Merry Christmas

He was born for you and for me. So that we would have life more abundantly. What more reason to rejoice because of this?!

Here in Haiti they don't put nearly as much emphasis into the season as we would be used to. Some of them have a special party or activities at church or school but not within their own families. I have asked several and that is what they tell me. I am thankful for our culture and that we celebrate together with our families.

Today at church there were many rejoicing hearts as they sang in their choir. Here is a sample





We pray that we can all rejoice in the birth of our Saviour today and everyday. And that the message of Jesus will be seen in every culture around the world.

A Merry Christmas from Haiti to each one of you.

To everything there is a season...

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; 

(Ecc 3:1-4)

The last couple of weeks we have experienced several seasons as expressed in Ecclesiastes

The girls were able to practice their skills playing music with our Haitian friends.

They have been invited to play at a church service.

We had a a Christmas party for all the IFM staff on Sunday. IFM employess about 59 people. Most of them showed up for the party and we had a grand time of celebration.

We handed out a small gift to each of the employees to express our appreciation for all the hard work they do for IFM, Haiti, and most of all for the Lord. I even had the privilege to give a small welcome speech in Creole. 

Followed up by a bountiful Haitian feast.

Sadly, the day after the employee Christmas was Daphka's funeral. Daphka was a 16 year old girl that lived with Mike and Joanna since the earthquake in 2010. When Mike's went home this summer to have their baby, Daphka moved back with her mother. She had experienced both physical and spiritual sickness and unexpectantly passed away last Monday.  Please hold her family up in prayer since they do not know the Lord and are having a very difficult time with her passing.

Shoebox reciever

 

Here is Dadou from the Childrens Home. This week she came running down to Kenslie and Jayla to show them the shoe box she had received  It was fun to be on this end this time and see the joy of someone opening their package. It gives inspiration to us and hopefully to all of you that have so graciously packaged the Samaritan Purse shoeboxes.

Behold how great a little fire kindleth........

Sometimes it can be in our very lowest times that God can raise us up so quickly.
When we say "Lord, what do you have me to do"? "Am I of value in your kingdom"?
And He says "Yes, let me show you."

We have always been drawn to the young men (some as old as 27 here). Some of them we started relationships with back in the 2010 earthquake. These relationships are what brought us back to Haiti and then to come as long-term missionaries. Some of them have made good changes in their lives, and some not so good. Our ultimate goal here is to see them come to love the Lord and have a passion and desire to know him more.

It seems here in Haiti you spend so much of your time meeting physical needs. And although this is important too. (Jesus spent a lot of time healing the sick, and praying for their physical well being.)

We want to go further with this. What will happen if they die and we never shared Jesus with them?

We have had an opportunity to see this recently. We have had a couple guys (one of them a new found friend) seeking. So one night we had asked them to come along with us to our village service. Then, they wanted to come the next time. They have now both asked for a Creole Bib La (bible) and asked us to have biblestudy with them . This is very exciting for us as we have been praying about this but didn't have direction.

Just a little explanation on these guys, and the other ones we would like to study with. They all go to church somewhere, and what it has seemed to us; are content with their life. Here, church is mostly music celebration and not a lot of deep Biblical teaching. So when they come to you with their own desires to want to learn more of their Savior,  this is exciting! God is working!

See, these people were not raised like a lot of us. Most, never have had much Bible teaching in their homes. They understand that Christ died, but are unsure of the simplicity of His salvation. So because of fear they think they need to keep asking for forgiveness to appease. A lot of them live lives of sin. It is sad.

James 1:12 says:
"Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him."

 We want them to know the blessing of walking with Jesus, knowing Him and therefore having the desire to live like Him.

Luke 9:47-48 says:
"And Jesus, perceiving the thought of their heart, took a child, and set him by him, And said unto them, Whosoever shall receive this child in my name receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me receiveth him that sent me: for he that is least among you all, the same shall be great. "



So this is our Prayer request and also Praise report:

Pray that we will be given courage and wisdom to reach their hearts.
That more of these precious souls will have this very desire, to learn more of Him!

First day of school at IFM 2012

This past week on Monday, marked the first day of school here at IFM. Here they are all lined up
 as both excitement and anxiety are in the air. This is a special day for them and considered a great priviledge!



Here is Pastor Volitaire the director of the school as well as the Pastor here. 

 

They file out to their classrooms 

Such sweetness with their little green check uniforms 

and white socks with black shoes.

Here is a link to our pictures from July and August.
https://picasaweb.google.com/102771674354323845206/PhotosInJulyAndAugust?authkey=Gv1sRgCKfc-ejbtP_neg

Lecòl in Haiti vs. school in America

In America it seems all children are given a chance to go to school. The government has made it available to pay for schooling so that all children can get an education.

I never thought it was a blessing when I had to do school.
Is it just because I took it for granted?
Yes, but that is not the case here in Haiti.

Here in Haiti it is a great privilege to be able to get an education. A lot of children here are sponsored by donors in America, and for some, their parents are able to pay their schooling. But, many do not have the opportunity to go to school at all.

Recently we had the privilege of going to the awards ceremony for the school here that IFM sponsors. It was inspiring to hear the children read, sing or offer something they wanted to share. ( of course we could not understand it all ) We could see in their faces and hear from their hearts that it is a privilege to be able to go to school.

As another school year begins, let us each take time to be thankful for the opportunities we have had and do have today to achieve an education. It is truly a blessing!

English class with the kids

We are doing an exciting ministry with some of the kids that hang out here at the mission. We are doing some English lessons with them and picking up a little more Creole in the process. We have a copy of "A Question of Yams" in both English and Creole. I read the Creole version and they read the English and we correct each other.

After reading we do some activities. Here we are doing a bucket brigade relay.

Last week, we went to watch a soccer match, the guys got all dressed up in their best, but we had the wrong day:(. They still had a fun time playing on the playground equipment.